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Texas Instruments GPS Receiver

Description

Soon after the first NAVSTAR satellites were up and functioning, the federal government joined with academia and industry to develop a "man-portable, field-deployable" GPS receiver suitable for surveying. The resulting TI 4100, produced by Texas Instruments, used computer software developed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center. Introduced in 1982, the TI 4100 remained on the market until 1989, and cost $119,900 (plus another $19,950 for post-processor hardware and software).

Described as a "commercial positioning and navigation system that is rugged enough to withstand marine, land, and airborne geophysical exploration applications," it indicated location within about 14 meters, speed within a tenth of a knot, and time within nanoseconds. When used in the differential mode, positions were accurate to within 2-5 meters. It could accept the C/A and P signals broadcast over the two L-band frequencies (L1 and L2) from up to four GPS satellites at the same time. This unit came from New Mexico State University, which apparently obtained it from Holloman Air Force Base.

Ref: Texas Instruments TI 4100 NAVSTAR Navigator.

James Collins "The Global Position System for Surveying Today!" P.O.B. (Dec. 1982-Jan. 1983): 54.

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